The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-06-29


articles, many of which are bartered by
the head of the family on his occasional
trips to the nearest town for such
luXuries as are not comprized IN the llst
of Acadian productions.
Time seems to have stood still for these
peonle; the round of their simple pleas
ures and occupations is the pastoral life
of the eighteenth century, refreshing 10
contemplate after the mad rush OF the
new world, that surrounds but does not
reach them. They are Norman French;
they are not Americans. They nave no
interest in either North or South; the
inhabitants of the United States, from
whatever section, are in Acadia compre-
hended under one generic term Yam
kee." The last struggle between the
States did not concern them; when
drafted for military service they often
deserted at first opportunity, not for lack
of physical bravery, but because the war
was no affair of theirs-"let the Yankees
settle their quarrel among themselves"
Most of the cottages contain a long
dining-room, extending the whole width
of the house, and in rear of the broad
hall dividing the front rooms, which
apartment is devoted to dancing on
their festive occasions. The family
friends, from old and young, mar
ried and single, assemble from
many miles distant at these entertain,
ments, the young matrons accompanied
by their babies, who are piled IN an IN
discriminate heap on bed in one of the
chambers, and are refreshed between the
dances by their tcrpsichoreanly inclined
mammas.
These dances afford the "Cajun" youth
their only opportunity for courtshlp-
besides the preliminary horseback per-
formanccs of which we have already
spoken-for 'Cajun' etiquette is very
strict, and young people of opposite
sexes are not allowed any intercourse ex-
cept in the presence of their elders.
Therefore, when young Jupiter Tonans
Servat or Numa Pompiius Leblanc finds
chance during a waltz to whispcr-not
soft nothings, for they all mean business
but to whisper declaration in form to
Amenaide or Clarice, he knows he is to
be made happy man if she tells him to
ask pa; yes, and all her family con-
nections to boot. And here the amiable
pony comes in again; for he and his
master Immediately set forth to make
centaur-like display of horsemanship in
front of the homes of all the young wo-
mans relations, whose consent. to her
marriage has to be formally asked. The
young people marry early; many OF the
women are grandmothers at the age OF
thirty years.
The Acadians exercise kindly charity
toward each other, being a."ays willing
to help a sick or unfortunate neighbor.
Their hospitality is proverbial; it is al,
most a religion with them; friends and
neiehbors or strangers within their gates
are all kindly received and made equally
welcome to the best they have in the way
of refreshment. Gombo file is here q
great dish; it begins their dinner and it
is the piece de resistance of their evening
entertainments. When above the sound
of the music, and the old-fashioned
prompter's call of "Balancez, Chassez!
Chaine des dames!" voice is heard to
shout "Gombo!" the beaux and the bellies
make a rush for the apartment where
this delicacy, served with rice, and rein
forced by black coffee, is distributed.
The standard of education among the
Acadians is not high, limited knowl-
edge OF what has been called 'the three
RS being quite sufficient for their intel
lcctual needs. 1t seems to us, however,
that such gracious virtues as ungrudging
charity and hospitality that is offered
alike to friend or stranger, to the wealthy
tourist or to the meanest waysidc tramp,
should 60 far toward offsetting lack Of
academic culture. Francisco Ch70n-
irls.